Picture: Deenvan Meer
Disney Theatrical Productions has confirmed plans to bring Tony-nominated musical Frozen to the newly-refurbished Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane next autumn.
One of the hottest tickets on Broadway since its opening a year ago, the lavish stage musical version of the highest-grossing animated film of all time has been chosen as the opening production for the prestigious venue when the prestigious venue reopens following its current 20-month £45 million renovation and restoration project.
With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and book by Jennifer Lee, Michael Grandage’s production features set and costume designs by Christopher Oram, lighting design by Natasha Katz, choreography by Rob Ashford, sound design by Peter Hylenski, video design by Finn Ross, puppet design by Michael Curry, and musical supervision and arrangements by Stephen Oremus.
Announcing the plans for the eagerly-anticipated London debut of the hit show, Grandage said: “Bringing Frozen to the stage has been a gloriously happy journey. We’re all looking forward to getting back in the room together as a creative team, to build our London company and bring Frozen to the West End.”
Award-winning husband and wife songwriting team, the Lopez’s commented: “The power of Frozen comes from the story of two strong, very real women saving their world by leaning in to their deep love for one another. Expanding this story has been an absolute joy. We went deeper and discovered several song moments that enrich the story in a new emotional and theatrical way.”
The Oscar-winning writer of both the film and the musical, Lee added: “We’re so humbled by the continued support for Frozen – at its heart, a joyous story about love and sisterhood. We’re very excited to share what we have created on stage with London and to see it come to life in that gorgeous theatre.”
Commenting on the choice of Theatre Royal Drury Lane as the London home for Frozen, Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions said: “As Frozen celebrates its first year on Broadway, we’re thrilled to share the London plans for the show. Michael Grandage has created a production that is as full of heart and joy as it is spectacle.
“It will be an honour to reopen Andrew Lloyd Webber’s gorgeously refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane, one of the crown jewels of London’s West End.”
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, Frozen caught the imagination of audiences across the world from the moment it was first released into cinemas in 2013. The double Oscar winner was written and co-directed by Lee (with Chris Buck) with music and lyrics by Anderson-Lopez and Lopez. Frozen 2 is due to open in UK cinemas this November.
In addition to the London opening in 2020, the musical is due to embark on a North American tour this autumn and productions are also planned for Australia and Japan next year and in Germany in 2021.
Angela Thomas
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Frozen – St James Theatre, New York – Review
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